Mike Del Vecchio wins WPT Rolling Thunder

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By Mad Harper

Live EventsWorld Poker TourNews

Mike Del Vecchio was in tears last night after winning his first World Poker Tour title in the Rolling Thunder Main Event. He said: “I’m just so overcome, ten years of blood, sweat, and tears. I always dreamed of something like this.”

Del Vecchio, who hails from New York but now lives in Las Vegas, beat a talented final table – and 421 entries overall - to win his first major trophy and the top prize of $284,638. His prize includes his $15,000 entry into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions. It’s by far Del Veccho’s biggest cash and doubled his live tournament winnings to date. Sorel Mizzi was the runner-up, earning $190,105; Olivier Busquet, who was chasing a second WPT title, finished fifth.

There were 421 entries creating a prize pool of $1,347,200 with 53 players paid.

Congrats also to WPT California Swing champion Rainer Kempe. The UK-based German pro claimed the prize package with 212 points thanks to an 18th-place finish at the L.A. Poker Classic, and sixth-place at WPT Bay 101.

With WPT Rolling Thunder now in the history books, the World Poker Tour heads to the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida for a week of events to close out Season XV.